AN954 Transformerless Power Supplies: Resistive and Capacitive Author: Reston Condit Microchip Technology Inc INTRODUCTION There are several ways to convert an AC voltage at a wall receptacle into the DC voltage required by a microcontroller Traditionally, this has been done with a transformer and rectifier circuit There are also switching power supply solutions, however, in applications that involve providing a DC voltage to only the microcontroller and a few other low-current devices, transformer-based or switcher-based power supplies may not be cost effective The reason is that the transformers in transformer-based solutions, and the inductor/MOSFET/controller in switch-based solutions, are expensive and take up a considerable amount of space This is especially true in the appliance market, where the cost and size of the components surrounding the power supply may be significantly less than the cost of the power supply alone Transformerless power supplies provide a low-cost alternative to transformer-based and switcher-based power supplies The two basic types of transformerless power supplies are resistive and capacitive This application note will discuss both with a focus on the following: A circuit analysis of the supply The advantages and disadvantages of each power supply Additional considerations including safety requirements and trade-offs associated with half-bridge versus full-bridge rectification Warning: An electrocution hazard exists during experimentation with transformerless circuits that interface to wall power There is no transformer for power-line isolation in the following circuits, so the user must be very careful and assess the risks from line-transients in the user’s application An isolation transformer should be used when probing the following circuits 2004 Microchip Technology Inc DS00954A-page AN954 CAPACITIVE TRANSFORMERLESS POWER SUPPLY A capacitive transformerless power supply is shown in Figure The voltage at the load will remain constant so long as current out (IOUT) is less than or equal to current in (IIN) IIN is limited by R1 and the reactance of C1 Note: R1 limits inrush current The value of R1 is chosen so that it does not dissipate too much power, yet is large enough to limit inrush current FIGURE 1: CAPACITIVE POWER SUPPLY L VOUT IIN D1 5.1V IOUT C2 470 µF C1 N 47µ 250V R1 470 1/2W IIN is given by: D2 EQUATION 3: XC1 = EQUATION 1: VHFRMS ≥ IOUT XC1 + R1 Where VHFRMS is the RMS voltage of a half-wave AC sine wave and XC1 is the reactance of C1 EQUATION 2: VHFRMS = VPEAK – VZ √ 2VRMS – VZ = 2 Where VPEAK is the peak voltage of the wall power, VRMS is the rated voltage of wall power (i.e., United States: 115 VAC, Europe: 220 VAC) and VZ is the voltage drop across D1 DS00954A-page Where f is the frequency (i.e., United States: 60 Hz, some countries: 50 Hz) Substituting Equation and Equation into Equation results in: EQUATION 4: IIN = √ 2VRMS – VZ πfC1 + R1 IIN = 2πfC1 2004 Microchip Technology Inc AN954 The minimum value of IIN should be calculated for the application, while the maximum value of IIN should be calculated for the power requirements of individual components EXAMPLE 1: CALCULATE MINIMUM POSSIBLE IIN Assume minimum values of all components except VZ and R1 Assume maximum value of VZ and R1 110 VAC 5.1V 59.5 Hz C1 = 0.47 µF x 0.8 = 0.38 µF (assuming ±20% capacitor) • R = R1 = 470 x 1.1 = 517 (assuming ±10% resistor) • IINMIN = 10.4 mA • • • • VRMS VZ f C = = = = EXAMPLE 2: VOUT is given by: EQUATION 5: VOUT = VZ – VD Where VD is the forward voltage drop across D2 Assuming a 5.1V zener diode and a 0.6V drop across D2, the output voltage will be around 4.5V This is well within the voltage specification for PIC® microcontrollers OBSERVATIONS Figure shows an oscilloscope plot of VOUT at powerup with a 10 kΩ load on the output (between VOUT and ground.) The 10 kΩ load draws only 0.45 mA As a result, the rise time of VOUT is 280 ms (as fast as possible for given IIN and C2), ripple is minimal when VOUT stabilizes at the voltage calculated in Equation 5, approximately 4.5V CALCULATE MAXIMUM POSSIBLE IIN Assume maximum values of all components except VZ and R1 Assume minimum value of VZ and R1 • • • • VRMS VZ f C • R = = = = 120 VAC 5V 60.1 Hz C1 = 0.47 µF x 1.20 = 0.56 µF (assuming ±20% capacitor) = R1 = 470 x 0.9 = 423 (assuming ±10% resistor) IINMAX = 16.0 mA FIGURE 2: VOUT AT START-UP WITH 10 KΩ LOAD 2004 Microchip Technology Inc DS00954A-page AN954 If the load is increased, the behavior of the circuit changes in several ways Figure shows an oscilloscope plot of VOUT during the same time frame for a 500Ω load A 500Ω load draws mA at 4.5V This is near the 10.4 mA limit calculated in Example The rise time of VOUT is longer (680 ms) as expected because not only is IOUT charging C2, but a significant amount of current is being drawn by the load VOUT stabilizes at approximately 4.1V, about four tenths of a volt below the output voltage calculated in Equation The ripple on VOUT is more pronounced with the increased current draw FIGURE 3: VOUT AT START-UP WITH 500 Ω LOAD If even more current is demanded from the circuit, the supply will stabilize at a voltage below the desired level Figure 4, shows an oscilloscope plot of VOUT during the same time frame for a 270Ω load A 270Ω load will draw approximately 16 mA with an output voltage of 4.5V This current cannot be provided by the circuit, therefore, the output voltage is compromised FIGURE 4: DS00954A-page VOUT AT START-UP WITH A 270 Ω LOAD 2004 Microchip Technology Inc AN954 POWER CONSIDERATIONS Sizing D2: Determining the power dissipation of the components in the circuit is a critical consideration As a general rule, components should be selected with power ratings at least twice the maximum power calculated for each part For AC components, the maximum RMS values of both voltage and current are used to calculate the power requirements The maximum RMS current that will flow through D2 was calculated in Example Assuming a 0.7V drop across the resistor for half the wave, the following equation (over) approximates the power dissipated in D2 EQUATION 8: Pd2 = IxV = (16.0 mA)(0.7V) = 0.011W Sizing R1: The current through R1 is the full-wave current This current is equivalent to the line voltage divided by the impedance of C1 EQUATION 6: Pr1 = I2R = (VRMS*2πfC)2R1 = (21.3 mA)2(470Ω x 1.1) = 0.23W (assuming ±10% resistor) A 1/8 W rectifier is sufficient for D2 Sizing C2: C2 should be rated at twice the voltage of the zener diode In this case, a 16V electrolytic capacitor will work C2 simply stores current for release to the load It is sized based on the ripple that is acceptable in VOUT VOUT with decay according to Equation EQUATION 9: -t Doubling this gives 0.46W, so a 1/2W resistor is sufficient Sizing C1: Assuming a maximum wall voltage of 120 VAC, double this is 240V A 250V X2 class capacitor will suffice Note: The class of X2 capacitor is intended for use in applications defined by IEC664 installation category II This category covers applications using line voltages from 150 to 250 AC (nominal) Sizing D1: D1 will be subjected to the most current if no load is present Assuming this worst case condition, D1 will be subjected to approximately the full-wave current once C2 is charged This current was calculated when sizing R1 (see above) Vout = Vd e RC VD was calculated in Equation Advantages and Disadvantages Advantages of Capacitive Power Supply: Significantly smaller than a transformer-based power supply More cost effective than a transformer-based or switcher-based power supply Power supply is more efficient than a resistive transformerless power supply (discussed next) Disadvantages of Capacitive Power Supply: Not isolated from the AC line voltage which introduces safety issues Higher cost than a resistive power supply EQUATION 7: Pd1 = IxV = (21.3 mA)(5.1V) = 0.089W Doubling this exceeds 1/4W, so a 1/2W 5.1V zener diode is a good choice 2004 Microchip Technology Inc DS00954A-page AN954 RESISTIVE TRANSFORMERLESS POWER SUPPLY A basic resistive transformerless power supply is shown in Figure Instead of using reactance to limit current, this power supply simply uses resistance As with the capacitive power supply, VOUT will remain stable as long as current out (IOUT) is less than or equal to current in (IIN.) FIGURE 5: RESISTIVE POWER SUPPLY L VOUT IIN D1 5.1V C2 470 µF IOUT N R1 2K 10W D2 IIN is given by: EXAMPLE 3: EQUATION 10: Assume minimum value of VRMS Assume maximum value of VZ and R IIN = VHFRMS R1 ≥ IOUT Where VHFRMS is the RMS voltage of a half-wave AC sine wave CALCULATE MINIMUM POSSIBLE IIN • VRMS = 110 VAC • VZ = 5.1V • R = R1 = kΩ x 1.1 = 2.2 kΩ (assuming ±10% resistor) IINMIN = 34.2 mA EQUATION 11: VPEAK – VZ VHFRMS = = √ 2VRMS – VZ EXAMPLE 4: Where VPEAK is the peak voltage of the wall power, VRMS is the rated voltage of wall power (i.e., United States: 115 VAC, Europe: 220 VAC), and VZ is the voltage drop across D1 Substituting Equation 11 into Equation 10 results in: CALCULATE MAXIMUM POSSIBLE IIN Assume maximum value of VRMS Assume minimum value of VZ and R • VRMS = 120 VAC • VZ = 5V • R = R1 = kΩ x 0.9 = 1.8 kΩ (assuming ±10% resistor) IINMIN = 45.8 mA EQUATION 12: IIN = √ 2VRMS – VZ VOUT is the same as given for the capacitive power supply (see Equation 5) 2R1 The minimum value of IIN should be calculated for the application while the maximum value of IIN should be calculated for power requirements DS00954A-page 2004 Microchip Technology Inc AN954 OBSERVATIONS The observations for the resistive power supply are very similar to the capacitive power supply Please refer to the “Observations” in Section “Capacitive Transformerless Power Supply” for more details Figure 6, Figure and Figure show VOUT at start-up for the resistive power supply with loads of 10 kΩ, 270Ω and 100Ω, respectively These loads correspond to output currents of 0.45 mA, 16 mA and 45 mA, respectively, assuming an output voltage of 4.5V Clearly VOUT is not 4.5V in Figure because the current demand placed on the power supply is too high FIGURE 6: VOUT AT START-UP WITH 10 KΩ LO AD FIGURE 7: VOUT AT START-UP WITH 270Ω LOAD 2004 Microchip Technology Inc DS00954A-page AN954 FIGURE 8: VOUT AT START-UP WITH 100Ω LOAD When working with an 60 Hz AC source, it is often desirable to know when the line voltage crosses Neutral The crossing, known as zero-cross, can easily be captured by connecting the node formed by D1, C1 and D2 to an input on the microcontroller The waveform observed at this node is shown in Figure For the resistive power supply, the transition in this waveform occurs at the zero-cross For capacitive supplies, some delay is present due to the in-series capacitor (C1 in Figure 1) FIGURE 9: DS00954A-page FIGURE A: WAVEFORM AT ZERO CROSS NODE 2004 Microchip Technology Inc AN954 POWER CONSIDERATIONS Sizing C2: Selecting component power rating in the circuit is a critical consideration As a general rule, components should be sized at twice the maximum power calculated for each device For the AC components, the RMS values of both voltage and current are used to calculate the power requirements C2 should be rated at twice the voltage of the zener diode In this case, a 16V electrolytic capacitor will work C2 simply stores current for release to the load It is sized based on the voltage fluctuations that are acceptable on VOUT VOUT decays according to Equation Sizing R1: Advantages and Disadvantages Advantages of Resistive Power Supply: EQUATION 13: V2 R 1202 = 8W kΩ x 0.9 P R = I 2R = (assuming ±10% resistor) Disadvantages of Resistive Power Supply: A 10W resistor builds in watts of safety so it will be used Sizing D1: With no load, the current through D1 will be approximately equal to the full wave current through R1 Significantly smaller than a transformer-based power supply Lower cost than a transformer-based power supply Lower cost than a capacitive power supply Not isolated from the AC line voltage which introduces safety issues Power supply is less energy efficient than a capacitive power supply Loss energy is dissipated as heat in R1 EQUATION 14: 5.1V VRMS R1 120 kΩ x 0.9 PD1 = Vx1 = Vz = 0.34W A W 5.1V zener diode should be used Sizing D2: The maximum RMS current that will flow through D2 was calculated in Example Assuming a 0.7V drop across the resistor for half the wave, the following equation (over) approximates the power dissipated in D2 EQUATION 15: PD2 = IxV = (45.8 mA)(0.7V) = 0.032W A 1/8W diode is a sufficient for D2 2004 Microchip Technology Inc DS00954A-page AN954 OTHER CONSIDERATIONS Safety Considerations Disclaimer: This section does not provide all the information needed to meet UL requirements UL requirements are application specific and are not exclusive to the circuit design itself Some of the other characteristics that are factors in meeting UL requirements are trace width, trace proximity to one another, and (but not limited to) other layout requirements Visit the Underwriters Laboratories Inc Web page at www.ul.com for more information FIGURE 10: CAPACITIVE POWER SUPPLY WITH SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS Fuse L VOUT D1 5.1V VR1 C2 470µ IOUT IIN C1 N 47µ 250V R1 470 1/2W D2 R2 1M Figure 10 shows a capacitive power supply with several UL considerations designed in A fuse is added to protect the circuit during an over-current condition Adding R2 in parallel with C1 creates a filter that will attenuate EMI from traveling back onto the line A varistor, or MOV, provides transient protection FIGURE 11: Figure 11 shows a resistive power supply with several UL considerations(1) designed in Note 1: User must research applicable UL specifications that apply to the user’s specific product Products must be tested by a certified lab to make sure all UL requirements are met RESISTIVE POWER SUPPLY WITH SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS Fuse L VOUT VR1 C3 047µ D1 5.1V R3 3M C2 470µ IOUT IIN N R1 1K 5W DS00954A-page 10 R2 1K 5W D2 2004 Microchip Technology Inc AN954 As with the capacitive power supply, a fuse and varistor have been added to provide over current and transient protection respectively The kΩ resistor is separated into two kΩ in-series resistors Series resistors should be split into two resistors so that a high voltage transient will not bypass the resistor The use of the two resistors also lowers the potential across the resistors, reducing the possibility of arcing C3 and R3 create a filter which prevents EMI created by the circuit from migrating onto the Line or Neutral busses FIGURE 12: RESISTIVE POWER SUPPLY WITH BRIDGE RECTIFIER L VOUT D1 5.1V C2 470µ IOUT IIN N R1 5K 5W Bridge Rectification Advantages of bridge rectifier over half-wave rectifier: The current output of each of the circuits described can be increased by 141% with the addition of a low-cost bridge rectifier Figure 12 shows what the resistive power supply looks like with this addition Instead of providing current during only one half of the AC waveform period, current is supplied by the source during both halves Equation 16 gives the RMS voltage for the full wave RMS voltage seen across R1 Provides 141% more current More efficient VOUT is more stable Disadvantages of bridge rectifier compared to half-wave rectifier: More expensive VOUT is not referenced to just line or neutral making triac control impossible EQUATION 16: VFLRMS = √ 2VRMS – VZ √2 Substituting into Equation 10 gives an equation for IIN: EQUATION 17: IIN = √ 2VRMS – VZ √ 2R 2004 Microchip Technology Inc DS00954A-page 11 AN954 CONCLUSION Transformerless power supplies are instrumental in keeping costs low in microcontroller-based applications powered from a wall receptacle Both resistive and capacitive power supplies offer substantial cost and space savings over transformer-based and switchbased supplies Capacitive power supplies offer an energy efficient solution, while resistive power supplies offer increased cost savings REFERENCES “Transformerless Power Supply” TB008, Microchip Technology Inc DS00954A-page 12 D’Souza, Stan, 2004 Microchip Technology Inc Note the following details of the code protection feature on Microchip devices: • Microchip products meet the specification contained in their particular Microchip Data Sheet • Microchip believes that its family of products is one of the most secure families of its kind on the market today, when used in the intended manner and under normal conditions • There are dishonest and possibly illegal methods used to breach the code protection feature All of these methods, to our knowledge, require using the Microchip products in a manner outside the operating specifications contained in Microchip’s Data Sheets Most likely, the person doing so is engaged in theft of intellectual property • Microchip is willing to work with the customer who is concerned about the integrity of their code • Neither Microchip nor any other semiconductor manufacturer can guarantee the security of their code Code protection does not mean that we are guaranteeing the product as “unbreakable.” Code protection is constantly evolving We at Microchip are committed to continuously improving the code protection features of our products Attempts to break Microchip’s code protection feature may be a violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act If such acts allow unauthorized 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respectively The 2 kΩ resistor is separated into two 1 kΩ in-series resistors... control impossible EQUATION 16: VFLRMS = √ 2VRMS – VZ √2 Substituting into Equation 10 gives an equation for IIN: EQUATION 17: IIN = √ 2VRMS – VZ √ 2R 2004 Microchip Technology Inc DS00954A-page 11 AN954 CONCLUSION Transformerless power supplies are instrumental in keeping costs low in microcontroller-based applications powered from a wall receptacle Both resistive and capacitive power supplies offer